Microgel Promotes Use of Natural Enzymes

Researchers have developed a method for binding enzymes to a temperature-dependent microgel that protects enzyme activity while providing a matrix for enzyme and substrates to interact.

The microgel was constructed of DNA strands that formed a three-way junction resembling the spokes of a wheel. A molecule of peptide nucleic acid, a synthetic material that recognizes and binds to DNA, was attached to each strand. Finally, enzyme complexes were attached irreversibly to the tips of up to four peptide nucleic acid molecules. At room temperature, individual microgel particles remained suspended in solution, but lowering the temperature caused the microgel particles to aggregate and precipitate from solution.

The enzymatic reaction is performed at room temperature. Then the temperature is lowered and the gel precipitates out of the solution and can be recovered by filtration or centrifugation. The product is left behind in the supernatant solution.

"By enabling efficient enzyme recovery, this microgel system overcomes significant obstacles in using natural enzymes in laboratory and industrial settings,” explained Dr. Bruce Armitage, one of the researchers and an associate professor of chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA, USA; www.cmu.edu).




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